A Simple Twist of Faith

Incorporating Faith into your childrens' lives

As many of you know, this fall we made the big, and  rough decision of sending our oldest daughter to first grade at our local public elementary school.  One of my chief concerns was the lack of Christian formation in a secular environment.  Here are seven very simple ways I am trying to incorporate scripture and prayer into my children daily routine.

1. Morning Prayer:

On our walk to the bus stop, we have been praying our traditional Catholic prayers, "Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be."  We have also been singing the Guardian Angel prayer.

 2. Thanksgiving:

When I pack Ladybug's lunch every night, I add a little note with a prayer of thanksgiving for the food.  Sometimes, I write the traditional Catholic prayer:

Grace Before Meals

Bless us our Lord and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Today, I wrote her favorite mealtime prayer song.

The Fine Art of Saying No

“No, I can’t do it”, is a very hard sentence for me to say.  When I worked in the corporate world, I felt it was a sign of weakness, a sign of a bad attitude, a sign of NOT being a team player.  Because of that, I frequently took work home; I scheduled conference calls when my child was sick, and I “got the job done.”  Yes, I rarely said no at work, however when it came to my family that was an entire different story. 

I always said yes, no matter how difficult the task and my family paid the price.  Many times, my husband picked up our girls from daycare because of a pressing assignment to work. 

Please note my boss did not tell me to stay, I stayed because of my own pride.

My family always took a back seat to my job.

Fast forward eighteen months, and although I have traded in my crisp white blouse, pencil skirt, and pumps for a t-shirt, khaki skirt, and flip flops, and corporate culture for full-time motherhood, I am still putting other “things” before my family. 

Why Tax Collectors and Prostitutes Enter Heaven First

Last night, I read this reflection written by Monsignor Massimo Camisasca on yesterday's gospel reading, Matthew 21:28-32.  I feel as if this was written directly to me and my current struggles.

“I'm reminded here of the words of a song: 'Even the weight of your sin would lead you back, Jerusalem'.  Even the weight of your sins would lead you back to me, God says. The whole Christian wisdom is summed up in this sentence.  For in becoming man, God chose to communicate himself, not only on spite of fragility, but "through' it. 

If we agree to this divine method without reservation, we can stop looking at our limitations as a reason for discouragement or frustration, and so as something to forget, to censor, and can start looking at them as stones to build on.

 

Made Perfect by Weakness

Today, a dear friend came up to me after Mass and asked, “Are you okay?  You haven’t blogging in two weeks.”  I answered truthfully, “No, I am not.  I have had a migraine headache going on ten days.  But frankly, it’s more than that I am in hormonal hell.” 

7 Quick Takes Fridays Volume 48

Things are kinda crazy around here, good but crazy.  We are all tuckered out !

Here's some highlights from our week.

 
1. 

Tuesday, I picked up my Ladybug from school.  She announced she had received a number for misbehaving in school.  At her school, they have five rules.  If your child is good she receives a "Scotty" dog stamp on her calendar.  If she violates one of the rules, she receives the number of the rule she did not follow.  Ladybug did not follow rule#2, Keep your hands, feet, and other parts of your body to yourself."  You may ask,

"Did my little angel hit or kick someone?" 

Remember the Heroes

I woke up to a sunshiny day, similar to the day ten years ago, when tragedy struck our nation.  Today, is a day of remembrance, of forgiveness, of honor.

 One of the heroes of September 11th is Father Mychael Judge.  He was the chaplain to the New York Fire Department. 

 
  

Learn more about "Father Mike" here

First Day in the First Grade

Tuesday was Ladybug's first day in the first grade.  It started a little shaky, the school bus broke down and never showed up at our bus stop.  My neighbor, who's son E. is also starting first grade and is in the same class,  graciously offered to drive Ladybug to school with her children.

 At first, I said, "No, I'll take her..." but Ladybug begged to go with her friends, and so I let go, and said okay.

 So, how was her first day of school? 

Well, when Daddy asked her if she needed help finding her class, she said, " No, Daddy.  I showed E. the way to our classroom." 

Avoid the near occasion of sin?

This week as part of our at-home catechism, my six year old is learning the Act of Contrition.  For my readers who are not Catholic, this is a prayer of reconciliation where you ask the Lord for pardon of your sins.

Here is the prayer she is learning:

"O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You,

and I detest all my sins, because of your just punishments,

but most of all because they offend You, my God,

Who are all-good and deserving of all my love.

I firmly resolve, with the help of Your Grace,

to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin."

Amen.

Last night, she asked me,"Mommy, what is avoid the near occasion of sin?"

Good question.

Farewell Summer, my old friend

This past week was action-packed. We played host to our neighborhood friends whose Mom is a teacher. She went back to school to set up her classroom. I am also providing childcare and homework help to two lovely young ladies who go to our parochial school which started classes two weeks ago. My girls, the youngest of the bunch, had a great time with friends, new and old.  During the week, we swam, took a trip to the aquarium, went to the library, and all seven of us ventured out to the zoo. 

We had a ball this last week of summer, however it also was hectic.  As for myself, I had little time for pray, I did not write on this blog, and my husband and I were like passing strangers in the night.  Also, the housework got a little backed up.  

I know I could not keep up this pace for long, but I wanted my Ladybug’s last week of freedom to be fun.  On Tuesday, we all start a new chapter in our lives as she steps on the bus and heads off to first grade in public school.  I am bittersweet about this decision.  She is petite, weighing a mere 37 pounds, however as our neighbor boy exclaimed,

“She is the biggest tomboy I’ve ever seen.”